RHIZOPHORA 501 



characteristic stilt-roots, the lower portion of the stem dying early and the 

 tree remaining propped up on numerous roots which are submerged at high 

 tide and stand out of the mud at low tide. Aerial roots are also produced 

 from the branches, these fixing themselves in the mud. This tree is the one 

 most commonly found on the outer fringes of the mangrove swamp where 

 the water is decidedly salty and the action of the tides and waves is most 

 strongly felt : its peculiar root-system therefore is of special advantage in 

 forming an anchorage to withstand this action. 



The conspicuous white flowers appear in the hot season and rainy season, 

 and the fruits ripen in the rainy season. The fruit (Fig. 192, a) is 1-5-2 in, 

 long, conical-ovoid, pendulous, coriaceous, rough, dark brown. The hypo- 

 cotyl (Fig. 192, b-d), which emerges through the apex of the fruit, is sharp 

 pointed and rough with lenticels. Before dropping it attains a considerable 

 length, ordinarily up to 1| 2 ft., but sometimes longer, and the seedling ie 

 thus able to establish itself in water of some little depth, the sharp point of the 

 hypocotyl penetrating the mud and the young plant being kept upright while 

 the roots are rapidly developed and the first pair of foliage leaves appear at 

 the apex of the shoot. >Seedlings which have established themselves in this 

 way may often be found in quantity in the mud and shallow water round the 

 parent trees. The tree commences to produce fruits at an early age. 



The sapwood is light red and the heartwood dark red, hard, but splits in 

 seasoning. It is a good fuel. The bark is used for tanning. 



2. Rhizophora conjugata, Linn, Vern. Pyu-tna, Burm. 



A tree somewhat smaller than, but with habits similar to those of the 

 last species, with which it is commonly associated. The leaves are narrower 

 and darker than in R. mucronata ; it can be most easily distinguished by the 

 calyx-lobes, which are pale yellow within. The fruit is about 1 in. long ; the 

 hypocotyl is smaller than in B. mucronata, up to about 1 ft. long. 



2. CERIOPS. Arnott. 



> 



Species I. C. Candolleana, Arn. ; 2. C. Roxhurgliiana, Arn. 



1. Ceriops Candolleana, Arn. Vern. Goran, Beng. ; Gimuri, Sind. 



2, Ceriops Roxburghiana, Arn. Vern. Goran, Beng. ; Guttia, Chittagong ; 

 Kahaing, Burm. 



Small evergreen trees resembling each other in appearance and habit, 

 and distinguished mainly by the inflorescence, which is more compact in the 

 latter than in the former. The bark of both species contains a great deal of 

 red colouring matter. The stem is not supported by stilt-roots as in Rhizophora, 

 but aerial roots are sent down from the branches, and small or inconspicuous 

 pneumatophores are produced. The fruit, which is about 1 in. long, ripens 

 in August-September, and the hypocotyl when it falls is 4-6 in. long by 0-25-- 

 0-35 in. in diameter, longitudinally grooved and ribbed, tapering upwards : 

 about 120-150 of the embryos weigh 1 lb. Fig. 192, e-g, shows germination 

 and the development of the young seedling. 



Brandis gives the respective distribution of the two species as follows : 

 C. Gandolleana. Tidal forests of Sind, the Indian Peninsula, Bengal, and 

 the Andamans. Sea-coast of tropical Asia, Africa, and Australia. 



